Why are people using their MacBook Airs on battery?

[DeepSix]

Each time you put a cycle count on it, it lowers the resale value of your Air. It also shortens the lifespan of both the internal battery and the laptop. Simple way to prevent it, is by buying and using a battery pack on it when needed. I did this, got an Anker prime 27650mah portable battery bank and for any times that I need to use the Air on battery, I run it off here instead so that I don't put any wear on the internal battery. Much cheaper to buy a new battery bank than a new Air.

Just curious why more don't do this?

 

[coffeemilktea]

Just curious why more don't do this?

Continuous charging generates more heat, which is bad for the battery long-term, and Apple's battery management software does a good job of keeping laptop batteries in modern MacBooks in good condition so cycle counts aren't a huge issue.

I also suspect most people don't really care.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Much cheaper to buy a new battery bank than a new Air.

Or you can just get the internal battery replaced instead of having to replace the entire MBA?!

OR

You can run something like AlDente to bypass the battery if you're mainly tethered to mains.

 

[chrono1081]

Each time you put a cycle count on it, it lowers the resale value of your Air. It also shortens the lifespan of both the internal battery and the laptop. Simple way to prevent it, is by buying and using a battery pack on it when needed. I did this, got an Anker prime 27650mah portable battery bank and for any times that I need to use the Air on battery, I run it off here instead so that I don't put any wear on the internal battery. Much cheaper to buy a new battery bank than a new Air.

Just curious why more don't do this?

Because in real world usage you'll literally not notice any battery degradation for years despite what the battery health checker apps (which are never accurate BTW) say.

People buy airs for portability/form factor. An external battery is just extra bloat.

 

[JPack]

Because I don't want to carry a 1.4 lb battery when the MacBook Air is only 2.7 lbs.

Battery banks in the U.S. are ridiculously expensive due to lack of Lithium control, so it makes even less economic sense.

I have this 30,000 mAh (111 Whr) battery bank from Xiaomi and it costs less than $30. But even then, I wouldn't want to carry this battery around when MBA battery service cost is only $159.

Xiaomi 行動電源 30000 18W | 小米香港官網

xiaomi-18w-power-bank-30000mah - 規格 - 18W 快速充電｜為小型裝置提供低功率充電

www.mi.com

 

[DeepSix]

Continuous charging generates more heat, which is bad for the battery long-term, and Apple's battery management software does a good job of keeping laptop batteries in modern MacBooks in good condition so cycle counts aren't a huge issue.

I also suspect most people don't really care.

I would still like to keep the cycle count down. A laptop with high cycle count is not easy to resale unless you're selling at a heavy loss.

 

[DeepSix]

Or you can just get the internal battery replaced instead of having to replace the entire MBA?!

OR

You can run something like AlDente to bypass the battery if you're mainly tethered to mains.

And pay an Apple tech $500 for labour? It's not even worth replacing the battery on Airs. Most just buy a new laptop.

 

[DeepSix]

Because in real world usage you'll literally not notice any battery degradation for years despite what the battery health checker apps (which are never accurate BTW) say.

People buy airs for portability/form factor. An external battery is just extra bloat.

I don't know about that, I think you notice the downsides right away. If you drain the battery everyday for a year, it will be at like 75% battery health.

Battery packs are very portable and don't add much more to the Air especially if you are already carrying an ext drive, mouse, SD card reader, USB hub, dongles, lights, mousepad with you (which most people are).

 

[DeepSix]

Because I don't want to carry a 1.4 lb battery when the MacBook Air is only 2.7 lbs.

Battery banks in the U.S. are ridiculously expensive due to lack of Lithium control, so it makes even less economic sense.

I have this 30,000 mAh (111 Whr) battery bank from Xiaomi and it costs less than $30. But even then, I wouldn't want to carry this battery around when MBA battery service cost is only $159.

Xiaomi 行動電源 30000 18W | 小米香港官網

xiaomi-18w-power-bank-30000mah - 規格 - 18W 快速充電｜為小型裝置提供低功率充電

www.mi.com

Oh maybe it's different here in Canada. Anker (my go to brand) are very well priced and often go on sale. I just got my Anker prime 26750mah for $75 off. I've been wanting it for some time now, just wanted to wait for a good sale and then I jumped on it.

 

[chabig]

I agree with the OP. That's why when I take my MacBook Air out of the house I carry one of these too.

 

[UpsideDownEclair]

Each time you put a cycle count on it, it lowers the resale value of your Air. It also shortens the lifespan of both the internal battery and the laptop. Simple way to prevent it, is by buying and using a battery pack on it when needed. I did this, got an Anker prime 27650mah portable battery bank and for any times that I need to use the Air on battery, I run it off here instead so that I don't put any wear on the internal battery. Much cheaper to buy a new battery bank than a new Air.

Just curious why more don't do this?

People just use their MacBooks as they are. Glad the power bank solution works for you, I’m just personally not sure how big of a % of owners would go through that to maintain their Air’s resale value. Convenience and such.

 

[Pakaku]

it lowers the resale value of your Air

Not everything in life is about re-selling

 

[cateye]

Is this thread for real? It must be satire.

Pro tip: If you carry your car around on a flatbed truck all day, you'll never need to replace the tires. Victory!

 

[chrfr]

And pay an Apple tech $500 for labour? It's not even worth replacing the battery on Airs. Most just buy a new laptop.

In the US Apple charges $159 for a battery replacement on a MacBook Air. Of course people get batteries replaced.

 

[JPack]

Oh maybe it's different here in Canada. Anker (my go to brand) are very well priced and often go on sale. I just got my Anker prime 26750mah for $75 off. I've been wanting it for some time now, just wanted to wait for a good sale and then I jumped on it.

It's equally as expensive. There's no lithium processing in North America. CA$130 for that power bank. MBA battery service is only CA$219.

Battery bank = 1.2 lbs
MBA M3 = 2.7 lbs

You end up with nearly 4 lbs, which is what something like a Dell Inspiron 16 weighs.

Batteries age even if you don't put cycles on them. So all this gymnastics will only prolong battery service, not eliminate it.

 

[triptolemus]

Each time you put a cycle count on it, it lowers the resale value of your Air. It also shortens the lifespan of both the internal battery and the laptop. Simple way to prevent it, is by buying and using a battery pack on it when needed. I did this, got an Anker prime 27650mah portable battery bank and for any times that I need to use the Air on battery, I run it off here instead so that I don't put any wear on the internal battery. Much cheaper to buy a new battery bank than a new Air.

Just curious why more don't do this?

Because the primary purpose of the thing is to use it, not needlessly wring my hands about battery health or resale value. Let the software and hardware manage the battery and live your life (same goes for iPhones).

A laptop, like an automobile, is a tool. It's not an investment.

 

[muzzy996]

Personally I just use my devices without too much regard for long term battery life, that is to say that I don't necessarily worry about cycle counts or charging overnight etc. I buy my devices to use them, not as investments and so I treat them as consumables. I either trade in my devices or ewaste them, I never resell them, so there's no concern about maintaining resale value for me. I'm also not one to upgrade frequently so I tend to get my money's worth out of the devices that I purchase (subjective).

 

[Chuckeee]

If you leave your MacBook Air in the original box with intact seals and never open it, then it retains even more of its resale value.

 

[jasbur17]

I have a Windows laptop for work that stays plugged in 99% of the time. Because of that, when I do have to take it off of the charger the battery only lasts an extremely short amount of time.
I'm pretty sure a Macbook or any electronic device would have the same issue. It's not meant to be constantly charging.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Each time you put a cycle count on it, it lowers the resale value of your Air. It also shortens the lifespan of both the internal battery and the laptop. Simple way to prevent it, is by buying and using a battery pack on it when needed. I did this, got an Anker prime 27650mah portable battery bank and for any times that I need to use the Air on battery, I run it off here instead so that I don't put any wear on the internal battery. Much cheaper to buy a new battery bank than a new Air.

Just curious why more don't do this?

I don't buy my laptop for the purpose of resale later. I buy my laptop to use as a laptop. If I get any resale value when I'm done with it, bonus. But I tend to use them until they don't have much resale value left.

 

[JPack]

I have a Windows laptop for work that stays plugged in 99% of the time. Because of that, when I do have to take it off of the charger the battery only lasts an extremely short amount of time.
I'm pretty sure a Macbook or any electronic device would have the same issue. It's not meant to be constantly charging.

If you have a better Windows notebook, you will find a charging limit setting in the BIOS. This setting is intended for those who are plugged in.

Mac handles this dynamically and puts charging on hold if plugged in for a long time.

Either way, it’s not a problem if you know and care about it.

 

[01cowherd]

I don't know about that, I think you notice the downsides right away. If you drain the battery everyday for a year, it will be at like 75% battery health.

MacBook batteries are rated to have 80% battery capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. One year has typically 365 days, which is only a third of the way to that rated lifetime if you fully drained the battery every day. It would take roughly three years to reach 80% battery health—which Apple fudges a little with the design vs real capacity—but this statement is laughably false.

 

[arc of the universe]

Is this thread for real? It must be satire.

i kind of thought the same thing.

some people seem to think that the way they use a laptop portable computer is the way that everybody does.

i use my macbook air in 2 or 3 rooms of my house every day. i do have power adapters stationed in alot of the places i use my Air. but not everywhere. for my workflows and lifestyle, the Air is about freedom.

 

[MacPoulet]

And pay an Apple tech $500 for labour? It's not even worth replacing the battery on Airs. Most just buy a new laptop.

What? Battery replacement is a set fee and is $229CAD for the 13” and $269CAD for the 15”. There’s nothing else save for tax which varies by province.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/mac/repair

 

[haruhiko]

Why do you even use your stuff? They will wear and tear. God there are so many weird people on this planet.